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The Hand Cut Aiki Bokken (Aikiken) wooden long sword combines the necessary speed and strength required in paired aikido weapons work. These bokken are shaped for precision and maneuverability but specifically designed for techniques involving contact with other wooden swords or staffs. Many aiki sword techniques rely on the size and mass of the bokken for its ability to deflect and redirect energy from the strikes of other wooden weapons, at least to some degree, and the ideal bokken must be heavy enough to effect the path of another weapon, yet be well balanced and light enough for reaction speed. The large aikiken is 42" long ovall, fairly stout in profile and has a 11 1/2" tsuka. The medium aikiken is 40" long overall with medium proportions and 11" tsuka. These weapons are made entirely without the use of sandpaper. They are finished with extremely sharp hand tools leaving many little smooth facets that create their complex shape. Because the techniques of their manufacture are traditional and aspects of their shape and proportion are correct historically, they have the superior look and feel of the archaic bokken of feudal times.

I received this beautiful weapon (in grade 7 Hickory and with an inscription, no less!) as a gift some years ago and am continually impressed by the level of care that went into its creation - not only is it wonderfully balanced but the hand-cut wood gives working with it a very pleasant feel in my hands; what a difference being hand-cut with quality tools (as opposed to sanded) makes! The only thing I would even remotely describe as a negative about this bokken is that for me personally, I find it a little too light - but then I had spent some years prior practicing with a rather heavy and ill-balanced white oak bokken. Otherwise, this is without a doubt the finest bokken I have ever owned. It has thus far stood up to a few years now of practice (against much heavier weapons) and I foresee a great many more with it in the future!

------------------------------Open Sky Aikikai - http://www.winnipegaikido.com
"Life is growth. If we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead." - Morihei Ueshiba

I bought a hand made bokken from Kingfisher several years ago and was hugely disappointed. The website and reputation all point to superb quality and practical weapons. Unfortunately the bokken was far too light and thus very poorly balanced. The grain is parallel yet not tight giving the bokken a very porous feel. Kingfisher was a huge disappointment and I recommend you stay clear.